|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2003
Contact: James Bernsen (512) 463-0630
|
|
House passes $433.6 million in savings
|
|
AUSTIN -- Representative Rep. Dianne White Delisi,Temple, secured passage of a large portion of her legislative package this week with the passage of five pieces of legislation that will result in savings to the state of $433.6 million during the next biennium. The three bills and two concurrent resolutions focus on improving the delivery of health care in Texas while cutting costs, which are needed because of the state’s $9.9 billion shortfall.
House Bill 1743, which provides greater protection against fraud and abuse in the state’s Medicaid program, was passed Thursday. The bill is projected to save the state $66 million over five years.
In 2002, Texas recovered only $17 million through Medicaid fraud control efforts. At the same time, New Mexico - with a tenth as many residents - recovered $21 million.
“This bill gives the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Health and Human Services the tools they need to fight the rampant fraud that exists in the Medicaid program,” Delisi said. “Fraud doesn’t just hurt the taxpayers - it takes money directly from the hands of the most needy people in our society.”
On Wednesday, the House also passed HCR 56, which urges the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive certain Medicaid requirements. Under the proposal, called a Section 1115 Waiver, the state would then be allowed to implement consumer-directed care programs. The program gives Medicaid-eligible individuals the opportunity to utilize non-Medicaid services and providers if desired.
The House also passed House Bill 728, which delays implementation Medicaid continuous enrollment rules by two years, saving the state $282.3 million. The House also approved House Bill 727, which establishes disease management programs in Medicaid. That bill would save the state $38.6 million. The program saves money by expanding preventative care regimines, which will reduce the frequency of costly emergency room visits.
In addition, the House passed HCR 57, which urges Congress to extend the availability of SCHIP funds for the 1998-2001 fiscal years. The plan would return $120 million in unused SCHIP funds to Texas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Copyright © 2003 -
DianneDelisi.com. All Rights Reserved.
| .
|
|
|
|
